# MortgageInfo.us

> Free, plain-English information for U.S. home buyers and homeowners: how mortgages work, loan types (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo), down payments, credit scores, closing costs, refinancing, HELOCs, home equity loans, and current mortgage rate news. Numbers are sourced to Freddie Mac, FHFA, HUD, the Federal Reserve, NAR, VA, USDA, and the CFPB. Content may be quoted with attribution and a link. The site is informational only: it does not take applications or collect personal data.

## Core guides
- [Buying a home](https://mortgageinfo.us/buy-a-home/): Loan types, down payments, credit scores, affordability, closing costs, and every step to closing.
- [Refinancing](https://mortgageinfo.us/refinance/): When refinancing saves money, break-even math, rate-and-term vs cash-out, streamline options.
- [Home equity](https://mortgageinfo.us/home-equity/): HELOCs, home equity loans, and cash-out refinances compared.
- [Mortgage glossary](https://mortgageinfo.us/glossary/): Plain-English definitions of mortgage terms.
- [Payment calculator](https://mortgageinfo.us/mortgage-calculator/): Monthly payment with taxes, insurance, PMI, and HOA.
- [Full text of every answer](https://mortgageinfo.us/llms-full.txt): Short answers and FAQs from every page in one file.

## News and guides
- [DSCR Loans Explained: Investor Loan Share of Non-QM Hit About 35% in August 2026 as Fraud Flags Rise](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/dscr-loans-explained-growth-and-fraud-risk-2026/): DSCR loans qualify a rental property by its rent, not the buyer's paycheck. See how the ratio works, why the loans are growing fast, and why lenders are watching for fraud.
- [Mortgage Rates Hit 7.50% at Mortgage News Daily, the Highest Since April 2024](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rates-7-50-percent-highest-since-april-2024/): Mortgage News Daily's 30-year rate hit 7.50% on Sept. 28, 2026, and Freddie Mac shows 7.03%. Here is why rates rose and what it adds to a $300,000 loan payment.
- [What is a mortgage? How mortgage loans work, in plain English](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/what-is-a-mortgage/): A mortgage is a loan used to buy or refinance a home, secured by the property. Learn how principal, interest, taxes, and insurance make up a payment, the main types of mortgages, what lenders require, and what happens if you can't pay.
- [Mortgage amortization explained: how each payment splits between interest and principal](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-amortization-explained/): See how a $400,000 30-year mortgage amortizes: month-one interest and principal, balance by year, total interest, and how extra payments shorten the loan and save interest. Includes a 15-year comparison.
- [Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) explained: how it's calculated and what mortgage lenders allow](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/debt-to-income-ratio-explained/): DTI compares your monthly debt payments to your gross income. Learn the front-end and back-end formulas, which debts and income count, DTI limits for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans, worked examples, and how to lower your DTI.
- [Home appraisals explained: how they work, what a low appraisal means, and your options](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/home-appraisal-explained/): A home appraisal is an independent opinion of a property's value ordered by your lender. Learn the process, typical cost, how comparable sales are used, what happens if the appraisal comes in low, and how appraisals differ from inspections.
- [Mortgage escrow accounts explained: property taxes, homeowners insurance, and why payments change](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/escrow-property-taxes-homeowners-insurance-explained/): How a mortgage escrow account collects and pays your property taxes and homeowners insurance, what a typical monthly amount looks like, why escrow payments change, what a shortage is, and how to lower your costs.
- [Mortgage rates top 7% for the first time since early 2025: what it means for your payment](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rates-top-7-percent-september-2026/): The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 7.03% the week of September 24, 2026, up from 6.30% a year earlier. See what that does to a monthly payment on $300,000, $400,000, and $500,000 loans, and what buyers and owners can do.
- [The Fed raised rates for the first time since 2023: what it means for mortgages and HELOCs](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/fed-raises-rates-september-2026-what-it-means-for-mortgages/): On September 16, 2026, the Federal Reserve raised its target range to 3.75% to 4.00%. See how the hike affects HELOC rates, adjustable-rate mortgages, 30-year fixed rates, and existing fixed-rate loans.
- [Why mortgage rates follow the 10-year Treasury, not the Fed](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/why-mortgage-rates-follow-the-10-year-treasury/): Mortgage rates track the 10-year Treasury yield plus a spread. Learn how mortgage-backed securities, inflation, and Fed expectations move the 30-year fixed rate, and how to use that knowledge as a borrower.
- [Homes for sale hit the highest supply in over a decade: why buyers have more leverage](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/home-inventory-highest-in-a-decade-august-2026/): NAR data for August 2026 shows 1.62 million existing homes for sale, 4.9 months of supply, a $429,100 median price, and a 30% first-time buyer share. Here is what it means for negotiating and pricing.
- [2026 mortgage rate timeline: from about 6% in March to over 7% in September](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rates-2026-timeline/): A week-by-week look at how the 30-year fixed mortgage rate moved in 2026, using Freddie Mac data, with what drove each shift and what it meant for a $400,000 payment.
- [2026 conforming loan limits: $832,750 baseline and $1,249,125 in high-cost areas](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/2026-conforming-loan-limits-explained/): The FHFA raised the 2026 conforming loan limit to $832,750 for one-unit homes, up 3.26%, with a $1,249,125 ceiling in high-cost areas. See what conforming, high-balance, and jumbo loans mean and how the limit affects your down payment.
- [2026 FHA loan limits: $541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling, plus how FHA loans work](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/2026-fha-loan-limits/): HUD's 2026 FHA loan limits run from $541,287 to $1,249,125 for one-unit homes. See limits for two- to four-unit homes, FHA down payment and credit rules, mortgage insurance costs, and when FHA beats conventional.
- [Should you refinance when mortgage rates are above 7%? Who still benefits](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/should-you-refinance-when-rates-are-above-7-percent/): With the 30-year rate at 7.03%, most homeowners with lower rates should not refinance. Learn who still benefits, see break-even tables for common scenarios, and compare alternatives such as recasting, HELOCs, and extra payments.
- [Keep your low mortgage rate: why a HELOC can beat a cash-out refinance in 2026](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/keep-low-rate-mortgage-use-heloc-instead-of-cash-out/): If your first mortgage has a rate below 5%, replacing it with a 7%+ cash-out refinance can cost far more than borrowing only what you need through a HELOC or home equity loan. See the math side by side.
- [First-time home buyer guide for the 2026 market: rates near 7%, more inventory, and lower-down-payment options](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/first-time-buyers-2026-market/): A plain-English 2026 guide for first-time buyers: programs with 3% to 3.5% or 0% down, assistance, credit and savings targets, costs beyond the down payment, negotiating in a slower market, and a 12-month plan.
- [How much house can I afford? The 28/36 rule, debt-to-income limits, and worked examples](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/how-much-house-can-i-afford/): Learn how lenders decide how much you can borrow, how to use the 28/36 rule and debt-to-income ratio, and how interest rates change your budget, with worked examples for a $100,000 salary and other incomes.
- [What credit score do you need to buy a house? Minimums by loan type and how scores affect your rate](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/credit-score-to-buy-a-house/): Minimum credit scores for conventional (620), FHA (580), VA, USDA, and jumbo loans, how your score changes your rate and mortgage insurance, waiting periods after bankruptcy, and how to raise your score before applying.
- [How much down payment do you need to buy a house? Options from 0% to 20%](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/how-much-down-payment-do-you-need/): Down payment requirements by loan type (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo), what a larger down payment saves, where the money can come from, and how to weigh 20% down against buying sooner with less.
- [Private mortgage insurance (PMI) explained: what it costs and how to remove it](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/pmi-explained-how-to-remove-it/): What PMI is, how much it costs by credit score and down payment, and how to cancel it at 80% loan-to-value or have it end automatically at 78%. Includes FHA mortgage insurance differences and a removal timeline.
- [Mortgage closing costs explained: what they are, typical amounts, and how to lower them](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/closing-costs-explained/): Closing costs typically run 2% to 5% of the loan. See an itemized example, who pays what, how the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure compare, seller concession limits, and ways to reduce your costs.
- [Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval: what each means and which one you need](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/prequalification-vs-preapproval/): Pre-qualification is a quick estimate; pre-approval is a lender's verified commitment after reviewing your documents and credit. See the differences, documents needed, how long letters last, and how they affect your offer.
- [Mortgage rate locks explained: how long to lock, what it costs, and what if rates fall](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rate-lock-explained/): A mortgage rate lock guarantees your interest rate for 30 to 60 days while your loan closes. Learn when to lock, lock periods, extension fees, float-down options, and what happens if rates drop or your closing is delayed.
- [Mortgage points explained: are discount points worth it, and how do buydowns work?](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-points-explained/): One discount point costs 1% of your loan and typically lowers the rate by about 0.25 point. Learn how to calculate the break-even point, compare lender credits, and understand temporary buydowns like the 2-1.
- [Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM): how they compare and which fits you](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/fixed-vs-adjustable-rate-mortgage/): A fixed-rate mortgage keeps the same rate for the life of the loan; an ARM starts lower then adjusts. Learn how ARMs like the 7/6 work, what rate caps mean, worst-case payment examples, and who should choose each.
- [The mortgage process step by step: from pre-approval to closing day](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-process-step-by-step/): A clear timeline of the mortgage process: pre-approval, Loan Estimate, offer, rate lock, appraisal, underwriting, clear to close, Closing Disclosure, and closing. Includes documents, timing, and common delays.
- [Refinance break-even calculator guide: how to know if refinancing pays off](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/refinance-break-even-calculator-guide/): Break-even months = refinance costs divided by monthly savings. See worked examples, the term-reset trap, what to include in costs, and how to compare total interest before you refinance.
- [Cash-out refinance explained: how it works, limits, costs, and alternatives](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/cash-out-refinance-explained/): A cash-out refinance replaces your mortgage with a larger one and pays you the difference. Learn loan-to-value limits, how much cash you can get, costs, taxes, risks, and when a HELOC or home equity loan is cheaper.
- [HELOC vs. home equity loan: differences, costs, and which one to choose](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/heloc-vs-home-equity-loan/): A HELOC is a variable-rate credit line you draw from; a home equity loan is a fixed-rate lump sum. Compare payments, rates, fees, qualification, taxes, and risks with worked examples.
- [FHA Streamline and VA IRRRL refinance explained: fewer documents, lower costs](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/fha-streamline-and-va-irrrl-explained/): Streamline refinances let FHA and VA borrowers lower their rate with reduced paperwork and often no appraisal. Learn the requirements, net tangible benefit rules, costs, and the USDA streamlined-assist option.
- [Mortgage wire fraud: how to protect your closing funds from scammers](https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-wire-fraud-how-to-protect-your-closing-funds/): Scammers impersonate title companies and agents to steal down payments. Learn how closing-day wire fraud works, the warning signs, how to verify wiring instructions by phone, and what to do in the first hours if you sent money to the wrong account.